Blind Review: Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto Colorado Claro
The Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto would be on top of the list when I think about unique shapes for cigars. Unlike the traditional four-sided box press or cylinder shape, the Sixto is a six-sided hexagon shape. It was part of the three original vitola Alma Fuerte release back in 2016. In December 2020, a lighter version of the Sixto was introduced, with a ten-year aged Colorado Claro wrapper from Nicaragua replacing the original Jalapa wrapper.
Blend Specifics
- Cigar Reviewed: Plasencia Alma Fuerte Sixto/Hexagon Colorado Claro
- Wrapper: Nicaragua Colorado Claro
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Size: Gordo (6″x60)
Appearance & Construction
The unique hexagon-shaped cigar gives off a strange familiarity to an ex-Dungeons & Dragons player. I find myself rolling the cigar between my fingers while studying it as if I was about to toss it on the table like a die.
The cafe au lait-colored cigar had a soft sheen on the wrapper as the sunlight scanned across each surface. Upon close examination, several visible veins spreading throughout the cigar; reminds me of a Lichtenberg figure.
Flavor & Smoke Characteristics
The wrapper gives off a faint sweetness, and the scent becomes more noticeable as time past. On the foot of the cigar, I got the fragrance of dry apricot. After shaving off the cap with my Xikar XO cutter, I took a few puffs of the cigar and tasted dry apricot, matching the scent from the foot. I did not get any spice from the cold draw. However, my lips started burning after making contact with the wrapper and the draw restrictiveness was about 7 out of 10, which is near perfect for my preference.
A stream of velvety smoke starting to dance around my head as I was lighting the foot, and it carried a scent of sugary roasted peanuts as if I was passing by one of those peanut carts on 42nd street. I became impatient as the scent teased me to no end, yet I couldn’t quicken the lighting process since the cigar has a thicker ring gauge, and I did not want it to burn. With my patience came the reward as I slowly took a few puffs and let the smoke blanket my palate. The first thing that jumps out at me is the taste of freshly baked bread, then toasted nuts, dry hay, and red pepper spice. The finish on this cigar is refreshing, with a hint of citrus. The retrohale gives off lightly roasted coffee beans, more toasted nuts, and red pepper spice that kind of overstayed their welcome.
The burn on the Colorado Claro Sixto is very even and slow. The ash held on strong as if it was holding together with glue. I made it to the halfway point before gravity took its prize.
The profile was pretty consistent two thirds in and the majority of the final third. After 2 hours, when I finally reached the nub, the red pepper spice ramped up significantly without losing any existing flavors and made me savor the last few puffs before putting it down. What a great way to finish the cigar; but was the journey worth this tiny amount of build-up?
Conclusion
I enjoyed the Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Sixto. The combination of lightly roasted coffee with freshly baked bread made the smoke very enjoyable, and not to mention the impeccable construction. Unfortunately, the experience became quickly mundane from a lack of build up of complexity, spice, coupled with being an extra-long smoke.